Sunday, April 20, 2008

I am not going to over judge the Coked-up Raymond Chandler finds Metropolitan Theology soaked monologue that is contained in this heartfelt, well intentioned, piece of crap that is passing for the first Spirit trailer..

I love The Spirit. I'm not going to gush, but let's say I've read around 93% of Will Eisner's work. He is the first great complete artist (art and script) of the comic book art form. Frank Miller knew Eisner. He loved him. I believe that Frank Miller wants to do right by him. I want him to as well. Other than Watchmen, there is no "comic to film" property that I would rather see succeed.

But I have to ask, "who was this guy talking in this trailer?"

"That was The Spirit?"

"The Spirit is running and jumping across roof tops, while engaging in metaphoric soliloquy?"

(not going to complain about the hokey cg jumping, because I believe that's on purpose)

Denny Colt......The Spirit, is a "man's man." He's a classic good guy hero; charming, good natured, lovable, punch drunk, and extremely hard to kill. This is not a man who thinks about the nature of heroes and totems as it relates to himself and his city!!

Where did this "My City" crap come from? He's not Batman! Since when is The Spirit, a dark vigilante who dances upon the city skyline like DareDevil in a dark duster? Where is the brutish, but lovable guy in the blue suit? Where is the gloved underdog, who seemed more a mix between Cary Grant and Li'l Abner?Oh yeah... I forgot... this is really Frank Miller's The Spirit isn't it?

Both men describe a gritty urban city, but Eisner paints a city filled with the entire spectrum of emotions; humor, horror, beauty, lust, innocence, silliness. Miller is black and white, unable to grasp the subtle human quality of Eisner's work. Where Eisner sees a depth, Miller see extremes. Eisner heightens the impact of violence by adding goofiness, seduction, moments of extreme action. Miller is like a coked up Raymond Chandler, every moment is booze, broads, bazookas, blood, boobs, butts and bomb blasts.

Miller's violence is porn, it's fantastic porn, but it's about anger, empowerment, control and domination, it's always about the guy kicking ass.

Eisner's violence is about the pain felt, the victimization, even when The Spirit is kicking ass, he's barely getting it done against overwhelming odds.

By the way, for those who are in the know, The Spirit's most deadly enemy, The Octopus, who has never, ever, ever, been shown in any form other than in a deep disguise and normally, is only recognizable by his oddly three striped gloves..Well, here he is...and again...